Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Working Out

Today I'm drawing a line - I've gained 10 lbs. since I started my job as a consultant. 60+ hours of work per week leaves little time for fitness ... but, that is just an excuse, and from here on such excuses will be on the other side of the line that I've drawn, along with McDonald's breakfast sandwiches, California rolls, fried rice, chocolate and not working out (some beer will still be on my side of the line, but not as much as their used to be)

On my way home from work tonight I'll stop by Dick's Sporting Goods to pick up a Powertec Workbench Leverage system (which they have on sale for ~$600) You can do over 20 exercises with this particular piece of home gymnasium equipment and if my research serves me, these are the most effective types of exercises available because they involve weight training. Eventually we'll acquire a treadmill too, but for now it shall be weights for me!

Last year this time my exercise habits were perfect. My job was so slow I had time to go to the gym almost every day for a 5k jog or 30 minute weight routine. I sustained those efforts through August, when I switched jobs, at which point I was in pretty good shape. Now, I should state that I'm not really all that out of shape ... I'm 5'11" and currently weigh 188 lbs. - the problem is that I normally weigh 178, and should probably be 170 ... the bigger problem is that I have formed some bad habits and need to break them before they become too deeply instilled. I'm very motivated to maintain healthy habits when I regularly workout - the investment of time, sweat and effort is not something I like to squander with junk food ... but when I'm not working out, I too easily partake in candy, chewing tobacco and excessive amounts of beer. So, if you've made it this far you're probably wondering how this all relates to infertility?

I've read that a moderate amount of exercise is essential to maintaining healthy sperm (too much can be a bad thing). I have no concern that I will over-do it ... if I can do 2 workouts per week, I will be happy. 3 would be optimal. That, in my opinion, is not enough to result in degraded sperm health, but hopefully it is enough to cut some fat.

An even bigger benefit of exercise is the energy, clear head, good sleep and confidence it brings - these benefits will be incredibly helpful as we progress down our road of infertility. My wife intends to use this home gym as well, which will hopefully bring her some of the same benefits it will bring me.

Anyhow, this is something to be a little excited about - I've wanted a home gym for a long time. It will be nice to have one, and it will be even nicer when the scale reads 170 lbs.